A state law changing how frequently restaurants are inspected unannounced goes into effect today. Under the new law, restaurants will be ranked on a scale from one to four. Restaurants rated as a four will receive four unannounced inspections.
The rankings will be based on establishment type as well as history of past violations.
Beth Frady is the deputy communications director at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. She says the new law will increase efficiency in inspections.
"But it also makes great business sense for our licensees as well as Florida's taxpayers," she explains. "It allows us to hone our regulatory efforts on those establishments that may need a little more help or education."
However, not everybody thinks the law is a step in the correct direction. Manny Delgado is a food safety trainer.
"The inspectors right now can hardly keep up with what's going on out there in the industry," he says. "And now that they're going to have less inspections and less visits, it's going to get even worse for the customer."
The department will still perform inspections when customers call in complaints, and for any confirmed cases of food borne illness.
Customers with complaints can call the Department of Business and Professional regulation customer contact center at (850) 487-1395.
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